Drama: H- summary

Question 1

1.1- Why are the sentinels weary?

Answer 1

Because it’s nightime, and there’s been apparitions

Question 2

1.1- What happens when the ghost appears?

Answer 2

Horatio demands them to talk, and Marcellus tries to get rid of it, which Skaespeare uses to reflect the opinions on the supernatural at the time of the play.

Question 3

1.1- What does Horatio stress in this scene?

Answer 3

That the recent land King Hamlet took from Norway was lawful, especially in the line “Well ratified by law and heraldry”

Question 4

1.2- How does Shakespeare set up the first appearance of Claudius to represent him throughout the play?

Answer 4

He begins his speech to his audience by addressing the elephant in the room, his brother’s death, and moved onto talk about how he and Gertrude have gotten married, and what to do about Norway. Shakespeare does this to show how he is quite brass and isn’t ashamed to address the subject, even though we know he killed the old king. He sets Claudius up to present like a good leader and king, however, whether this stands up or not, is yet to be seen. Claudius uses King Hamlet to get people to like him, in the line “…Than is the throne to Denmark to thy father.”

Question 5

1.2- How do Claudius and Hamlet interact with each other in this scene?

Answer 5

It is quite a stiff interaction, with Hamlet providing quite witty remaks hiding his meaning to Claudius, whilst Claudius tries to save face in front of the others.
KING: But now, my cousin Hamlet and my son—
HAMLET: A little more than kin and less than kind.
KING: How is it that the clouds still hang on you?
HAMLET: Not so, my lord; I am too much in the sun.

Question 6

1.2- What does the King say about Hamlet’s grief?

Answer 6

“We pray you throw to earth this unprevailing woe”

Question 7

1.2- What ideas are explored in Hamlet’s first soliliquy?

Answer 7

-How he wants to kill himself, but doesn’t because (whether or not its the main/sole reason) he knows it’s a sin “Or the Everlasting has not fixed his canon ‘gainst self-slaughter”
-Nilhilsm and feels quite pessimistic about future
-The unaturalness of his uncle and mother’s relationship
-compares dad and uncle using mythology, links to reniassance era
-blames mum for relationship and for wanting more than his dad “fragility, thy name is woman”
-mum and uncles relationship is incestuous
-feels like he has to supress his emotions

Question 8

1.2- How does Hamlet’s demeanour changes from his soliliquy to when Horatio, Marcellus and Barnardo come in?

Answer 8

He goes from being nihlistic and pessimistic to happy and joyful and inquiring about them and how they are doing

Question 9

1.2- How does Hamlet react when his friends tell him they have saw the ghost of his father?

Answer 9

The conversation quikcnes, as Hamlet beings rapid-firing questions. This also links to the wider context of the Elizabethean time, when peopel generally believed in ghosts, however knew they were dangerous.

Question 10

1.2- How does Hamlet end the scene?

Answer 10

He remarks “My father’s spirit—in arms! All is not well. I doubt some foul play.”

Question 11

1.3- How does Laertes and Ophelia interact with each other in this scene?

Answer 11

-Laertes, who is Ophelia’s brother, begins lecturing her about her spending time with Hamlet. He ends up discussing about her virginity and staying pure, which we can understand would’ve been an uncomfortable subject to talk about for Ophelia with her brother.
-Also, the audience at the time and even today would have saw this conversation as awkward.
-Ophelia struggles to get a word in, and seems wuite weak at the beginning of the scene, however, towards the end of their interaction she seems stronger, telling him to essentially practice what he preaches, and not get someone else pregnant.
-Laertes cuts off their interaction when Polonious, their father comes in, showing how he knows his place

Question 12

1.3- How does Laertes and Polonious interact?

Answer 12

-He gives his son advice, in quite a friendly manner, and seems a world away from the conversation that Laertes and Ophelia have just had, showing the patriarchal society and how men and women are treated differently.

Question 13

1.3- How does Polonious and Ophelia interact at the end of this scene?

Answer 13

At the beginning of thier interaction, Polonious asks what Laaertes had already said to Ophelia, seemingly using this as gospel and his starting point at also betreating her. He goes on to saying that they have been spending a lot of time together recently, and that he is worried about his reputation, which seems quite mild in comparison to what Laertes said to her. He highlights her innocenece, and gives his commands that she stays away from the Prince.

Question 14

1.4- What line does Hamlet begin the scene with that interlinks with the theme of decrpidness shown throughout the play?

Answer 14

“The air bites shrewdly”

Question 15

1.4- How does Shakespeare reinforce Elizabethan ideologies about the Supernatural?

Answer 15

When the ghost enters, Hamlet declares, “Angel and ministers of grace defend us!”, showing how they are scared of the supernatural and resort to religion.

Question 16

1.4- What then shocks a Elizabethan audience?

Answer 16

When Hamlet wants to follow the ghost, who he believes is his father, he remarks “Why, what should be the fear?”

Question 17

1.4- What pivotal question does Horatio ask at the end of the scene?

Answer 17

Once Hamlet has decided to follow the ghost, he asks him if it “might deprive your sovereignty of reason, And draw you into mandess?”, Which Shakespeare does to highlight a central question in the plot of ‘Hamlet’, does Hamlet actually go mad, or is he pretending?, and where is the line?

Question 18

1.5- Why is it symbolic that King Hamlet is in armour?

Answer 18

As he has come as a king, not a father

Question 19

1.5- What contrast has Shakespeare included that will cause outcry for an Elizabethan audeince?

Answer 19

There is mention and referecne to Purgatory, which is a Catholic ideology, and whilst the country was religiously tense at the time, the official reigion was Portestantism and Catholics were being opressed and discriminated against.

Question 20

1.5- What suspicisons are confirmed in this scene by the ghost?

Answer 20

That King Hamlet was murdered, and that his brother, Claudius, killed him.

Question 21

1.5- What does the ghost remark that Hamlet disagrees with?

Answer 21

That Gertrude is innocent, however, he does state later in the scene he belives that she will get her penance later in life.

Question 22

1.5- After his conversation with the ghost, what does Hamlet ask of Horatio and Marcellus?

Answer 22

To swear that they didin’t see anything, whikch is fuelled by voices offstage, referencing the supernatual.

Question 23

1.5- What does Hamlet claim he is going to do with the infromation the ghost has told him?

Answer 23

He says he is going to pretend to go mad, although the question by the end of the play is is he pretending or has he actually gone mad. It also links to the theme of deception.

Question 24

2.1- How does the theme of surveillance show through at the beginning of the scene and act?

Answer 24

Polonious orders Reynaldo to “make inquire of his behaviour”

Question 25

2.1- How does Polonious sum up the lack of trust going around the royal courts of Denmark at the moment?

Answer 25

"Having ever seen in the prenominate crimes the youth you breathe of guilty,"

Question 26

2.1- What is the first example of Hamlet acting mad?

Answer 26

Ophelia comes into where Polonious and Reynaldo are, distressed, and reocounts how Hamlet came into her room quite undressed, appeared dirty, and pale. Ophelia described Hamlet as "been loosed out of hell", which is a word used with great significance at the time of writing/setting.

Question 27

2.1- How does Ophelia's account of Hamlet's behaviour change Polonious' mind?

Answer 27

He believes he is madly in love with his daughter, and wants Hamelt to confess it, as Polonious now sees a way to go up through social circles.

Question 28

2.2- What does Claudius do in a bid to protect his position?

Answer 28

He has invited two of Hamlet's closest friends to go and spy on Hamlet and figure out what is wrong with him, and then to report back to him.

Question 29

2.2- What moment in this scene juxtaposes the fact that has been presented by the ghost, and therefore Shakespeare, about Gertrude so far?

Answer 29

She also manipulated Rosencrantz and Guildernstern, saying "As fits a king's remembrance"

Question 30

2.2- What does Polonious say to Claudius in this scene that shows that Hamlet's plan is working?

Answer 30

He says "that I have found the very cause of Hamlet's lunacy"

Question 31

2.2- What device has Shakespeare used in this scene in relation to Denmark and Norway that has been used to pass off something better than it is?

Answer 31

Shakespeare has used Voltemand as a messenger coming back from Norway, with news that old Fortinbras didn't know of these men on the borders, and apologises, and asks that as they are so good friends, if they can send their soldiers through Denmark to Poland, which has obviosuly been used as a decoy to distract Denmark and invade them instead.

Question 32

2.2- How does Claudius respond to Norway's proposition? And why might've Shakespeare done this?

Answer 32

Claudius accepts Norway's offer, which seems nieve of him and shows a shift in his leadership form competant leader to a dellusional one. Also, Shakespeare uses this moment in the play to remind audeinces that Claudius is more of a 'politician' leader, as opposed to Old Hamlet's 'soldier' leadership style.

Question 33

2.2- What does Polonious tell Claudius and Gertrude?

Answer 33

That he believes that Hamlet is madly in love with Ophelia, and that he will be happy being beheaded so if he is wrong.

Question 34

2.2- When Hamlet enters, how does he play with and insult Polonious, and why can this be used in an argument as to wether he is mad or pretending to be mad?

Answer 34

He insults Polonious by asking him if he is a "fishmonger", which shows he could actually be mad, as he would know he is a member of the royal court and works for the King and Queen of Denmark, or shows he is pretending to be mad and wants to mess with Polonius, knowing he is trying to prove he is in love with Ophelia.

Question 35

2.2- How does Hamlet act when Rosencrantz and Guildenstern enter?

Answer 35

He begins by gauging their feelings with "how do you both?", before moving on to "What's the news?" in which he is using as he knows they will give up their true intention, as he knows they are false friends. Next, Hamlet tests their loyalty to the crown and to Denmark by saying "Denmark's a prison" "A goodly one, in which there are many confines,wards and dungeons; Denmark being one o'th'worst.", before asking in a concealed, secretive way with "But, in the beaten way of friendship, what make you at Elsinore?" before being up front and asking them "Were you not sent for?"

Question 36

2.2- How does Hamlet react to Rosencrantz and Guildenstern when they reveal they have been sent by Claudius?

Answer 36

He doesn't get mad or angry with them, but instead asked them why, showing his inquistive nature. He finishes with making them feeling guilty.

Question 37

2.2- What do Rosencrantz and Guildenstern surprise Hamlet with?

Answer 37

With 'players' (actors), which immediately sparks Hamlet's interest, and makes him inquisitive.

Question 38

2.2- What does Hamlet use the player's arrival as a moment for?

Answer 38

To make a dig at Gertrude and Ophelia, as well as Claudius, essentially calling him two-faced.

Question 39

2,.2- How does Hamlet's respect differ between the players and Polonious? and why would this abhor a Elizabethan audience?

Answer 39

Hamelt holds lots of respect and authoritive ideals to the players, whereas he mocks and belittles Polonious, which would be a problem for Elizabethan audiences as they would see that, as a royal advisor, Polonius would require more respect than what Hamlet gives him.

Question 40

2.2- How does the players performance impact Hamlet?

Answer 40

He is besotted with them, and figures out his plan for proving if Claudius actually killed his father, as he doesn't want to just off what a ghost has told him. Hamlet seems enthralled by the players, clearly showing his academic side, understanding and interpreting the messages within the play.

Question 41

2.2- What are the key messages of the soliloquy in Act 2? How is this different from the soliloquy in Act 1?

Answer 41

Hamlet becomes angry and infruiated at his inaction over what has happened to his father. He admits he likes being alone and feels he is not worthy or ready to be king. He also calls Claudius a "remorseless, treacherousm lecherous, kindless villain!". He also builds upon the sexist language he uses in the soliloquy in Act 1. This soliloquy proves to the audience that Hamlet has dysfunctional mood swings. This differs from the mood of the soliloquy in Act 1, where Hamlet is nihilistic and pessimistic, fuelled of grief and sorrow

Question 42

3.1 What does Claudius and Polonius do whilst Hamlet and Opheila talk?

Answer 42

Hide behind an arras, again supporting the theme of suveillance in the play

Question 43

3.1 What does Claudius plan at the end of the scene?

Answer 43

To send Hamlet to England out of his way, with connotations to have him killed there, but he doesn't explicitly say this.

Question 44

3.2 What do Hamlet and Horatio plan to do whilst the royal court watch the play?

Answer 44

Motior Claudius' reaction, to see if he shows any signs of guilt or anger at what is being performed.

Question 45

3.3 What does Polonius decide to do in this scene, which Shakespeare uses as a moral point in the play?

Answer 45

He decides to spy on Hamlet and Gertrude's exchange, after learning that Hamlet is on his way to speak to his mother. This decision gets him killed, therefore this is Shakespeare showing how the constant secrecy and deception is wrong and must end.

Question 46

3.3 Who delivers a soliloquy in this scene, what do it reveal and why do it lead to arguably one of the most tense moments in the play?

Answer 46

Claudius delivers a soliloquy in which he confesses to murdering Old Hamlet. He is remorseful, but not regretful of his actions. He is trying to pray, matching similar moments in other Shakespeare plays. During this, Hamlet enters behind him, seemingly fuelled with anger, carrying a sword. He is made to seem like his is considering murdering Claudius, then decides against it due to him being in prayer, as he doesn't want him to go to heaven, therefore showing Hamlet 'playing God'.

Question 47

3.4 How does the conversation between Hamlet and Gertrude go?

Answer 47

Hamlet goes in hot and heavy, still angry, and begins dictating to Gertrude that she should be guilty and apologetic for what she has done, showing him trying to control the scenario, at this Gertrude is upset and cries for help, which is when Polonius begins speaking and Hamlet calls him a "rat" before stabbing him, hoping it it Claudius, and is disapointed when he discovers it is Polonius. Gertrude is shocked at Hamlet's unbotheredness and thinks he has gone mad. The ghost of Old Hamlet then appears as Hamlet hasn't kept thier promise; not pestering Gertrude. Gertrude agrees with Hamlet to keep this interaction quiet, again reinforcing secrecy, and Hamlet decides to sneak away.

Question 48

4.1 What does Gertrude do in this scene that potentially contradicts what she promised Hamlet towards the end of Act 3?

Answer 48

She tells Polonius that Hamlet has gone mad and killed Polonius, when she promised to keep the altercation between themselves, reinforcing again this theme of deception.

Question 49

4.3 What does Hamlet finally reveal in this scene?

Answer 49

Where he had hid Polonius' body.

Question 50

4.3 What changes in Claudius' plan for Hamlet?

Answer 50

That he has instrcuted the King of England to execute Hamlet when he is in England.

Question 51

4.4 What does Hamlet conclude in his soliloquy in this scene?

Answer 51

He feels more inspired to taqke action against Claudius after discovering that Fortinbras' army is going to war over a small piece of land, which he remarks that if they were all killed, they all couldn't be buried on the piece of land because it is that small.

Question 52

4.5 Which characters enter Elsinore after Polonius' death and why is this important?

Answer 52

Ophelia and Laertes enter, which is significant as it shows a theme of retribution and responses to grief in the play, as Ophelia seems to go mad, whilst Laertes wants to avenge his father's death and even accuses Claudius.

Question 53

4.6 What important plot shift happens in this scene?

Answer 53

Horatio receives a letter from Hamlet, saying that his ship have been overthrown with pirates, and that he is returning to Denmark, which Shakespeare does to increase the tension in the play.

Question 54

4.7 What key moment in the end of the play begins taking form in this scene?

Answer 54

Claudius recevies Hamlet's letter about his return, and tells Laertes that it was him who killed his father. They then begin plotting to kill Hamlet, as Claudius' most recent plan didn't work. They decide to make Laertes and Hamlet take part in a fencing match.

Question 55

4.7 What unfortunate event happens in this scene?

Answer 55

Ophelia drowns herself

Question 56

5.1 What plot device does Shakespeare use in this scene?

Answer 56

He uses the gravediggers, who are described as 'clowns' to distract from the narrative, as it is intensifying and reaching a cliffhanger.

Question 57

5.1 What does Hamlet do when he discovers it is Ophelia who has died in the funeral procession?

Answer 57

He declared he is more upset about her passing than Laertes, causing them to brawl in her grave, shwoing their arrogant nature.

Question 58

5.2 What does Hamlet do back at the castle?

Answer 58

Accepts Laertes' offer to fence with him.

Question 59

5.2 What does Gertrude do whilst Hamlet is fencing, and how does it affect him?

Answer 59

She drinks wine from the poisioned chalace whilst cheering him on, causing her to die. Hamlet seems outraged that his mother has died, more so than anyone else in the play, which could be supported by psychoanalytical critics.

Question 60

5.2 How does Laertes and Claudius' plans further implode in the final scene?

Answer 60

After Laertes hits Hamlet with the poisioned rapier, Hamlet grabs it and kills him with it, which leaves Laertes begging for forgiveness in his final moments, which Hamlet grants, as Laertes reveals their plan was Claudius' idea. Hamlet then kills Claudius.

Question 61

5.2 How does the play end?

Answer 61

After three deaths already in this scene, Horatio reveals his intent to kill himself, which Hamlet stops. Hamlet subsequently kills himself, claiming that Fortinbras would be a better ruler anyway, as he enters and takes the throne.